Last updated: May 2026 — Matthew Hargreaves, Aki Japanfood
How We Rate
Our Review Methodology at Aki Japanfood
At Aki Japanfood (aki-japanfood.com), every casino review you read has been personally researched, tested, and written by Matthew Hargreaves. This page explains exactly how we evaluate non GamStop casinos for British players, what criteria we use, how much weight each factor carries, and why you can trust our ratings to be honest and independent.
Our goal is simple: to give UK players who choose to play outside GamStop a clear, accurate, and unbiased picture of each site before they deposit a single penny.
Step-by-Step: How Matthew Hargreaves Reviews Each Casino
Matthew Hargreaves personally tests every casino featured on this site. No review is published based on press releases, operator-supplied information alone, or secondhand accounts. Here is the exact process followed for each review:
- Step 1 — Initial Verification: Matthew begins by confirming the casino holds a valid licence from a recognised offshore authority, such as the Malta Gaming Authority, Curaçao eGaming, or the Gibraltar Regulatory Authority. Sites with no verifiable licence are rejected immediately and never published.
- Step 2 — Account Registration: A real player account is created using genuine personal details. This tests how smooth and transparent the sign-up process is, including any identity checks or restrictions placed on UK residents.
- Step 3 — Bonus Claiming: Matthew actively claims the welcome bonus or any available promotion to evaluate the real terms behind the marketing headline. This includes reading the full terms and conditions, wagering requirements, game restrictions, and withdrawal caps.
- Step 4 — Game Testing: A representative sample of games is played across categories including slots, live dealer tables, and table games. Software providers are verified, loading speeds are tested, and Return to Player (RTP) transparency is assessed.
- Step 5 — Deposits and Withdrawals: At least one real deposit is made, and a withdrawal is requested to measure processing times, available payment methods, and any hidden fees. This is one of the most important stages of the review process.
- Step 6 — Customer Support Testing: Matthew contacts support via live chat, email, or both. Response times, quality of answers, and professionalism are all recorded.
- Step 7 — Mobile Review: The casino is accessed on a mobile browser and, where applicable, a dedicated app. Usability, load times, and game availability on mobile are evaluated.
- Step 8 — Final Scoring: All findings are compiled and scored using our weighted criteria framework, detailed below. A written review is then produced and published on aki-japanfood.com.
Our Rating Criteria and Weightings
Each casino is scored out of 10 in six key categories. These scores are then combined using the weightings below to produce an overall rating out of 10.
| Category |
Weighting |
What We Assess |
| Licensing and Safety |
25% |
Regulatory licence validity, responsible gambling tools, SSL encryption, data protection practices, and fairness certifications from independent auditors such as eCOGRA or iTech Labs. |
| Bonuses and Promotions |
20% |
Welcome bonus value, wagering requirements, bonus terms clarity, ongoing promotions, loyalty schemes, and whether bonus conditions are genuinely fair for players. |
| Game Selection |
20% |
Number and variety of games, quality of software providers, availability of live dealer games, progressive jackpots, and RTP transparency. |
| Payment Methods |
15% |
Range of deposit and withdrawal options, processing speeds, transaction fees, minimum and maximum limits, and ease of use for UK players. |
| Customer Support |
10% |
Availability of support channels, response times, quality and accuracy of answers, and availability of support in English. |
| Mobile Experience |
10% |
Mobile browser performance, app availability, game selection on mobile, interface design, and stability during play. |
Understanding Our Rating Scale
All casinos are scored on a scale of 1 to 10, where scores reflect the following overall quality levels:
- 9.0 – 10.0 — Outstanding: Exceptional across all categories. Highly recommended for British players.
- 7.0 – 8.9 — Good: Strong overall performance with only minor shortcomings.
- 5.0 – 6.9 — Average: Acceptable but with notable weaknesses worth considering before signing up.
- 3.0 – 4.9 — Below Average: Significant problems in one or more areas. Approach with caution.
- 1.0 – 2.9 — Poor: Serious concerns identified. Not recommended.
Casinos that score below 5.0 overall are not listed as recommended sites on aki-japanfood.com, though they may still be reviewed with a clear warning attached.
How Aki Japanfood Stays Unbiased
Independence is at the heart of everything Matthew Hargreaves publishes. Here is how we protect editorial integrity:
- No paid-for positive reviews: Operators cannot pay to improve their scores or influence written verdicts. Affiliate relationships, where they exist, are clearly disclosed.
- Scores are never adjusted post-publication at operator request: If a casino improves or deteriorates, reviews are updated based on fresh testing, not commercial pressure.
- Negative findings are always published: If Matthew discovers poor withdrawal times, misleading bonus terms, or weak security practices, this information is included in the review without exception.
- Reviews are updated regularly: Casino quality changes over time. Matthew revisits ratings periodically to ensure the information on aki-japanfood.com remains accurate and current for British players in 2026.
If you have questions about our review process or want to report an issue with a casino we have covered, you are welcome to contact Matthew Hargreaves directly through the contact page on aki-japanfood.com.